"The International has approved free first year memberships both for new A/S purchasers and first time A/S owners who buy from a private party. "

We joined just a few weeks ago and nobody said anything about the first year free. There is nothing on the application form and the Unit membership chairman said nothing about it. I guess I'll call Ohio tomorrow and see if I can get my fees back, or have them credited for future years...

As for being welcomed by Unit members, we haven't been able to join any rallies or caravans yet since our trailer is still "in rehab", but we've received several nice notes from different unit members. (California South Coast) We are not retired, so we only intend to participate in a few weekend rallies each year, and from what we have read this unit has several close-by rallies to choose from.

We look forward to meeting the folks in the unit, and, even though we will be the youngest members, we don't anticipate any problems.

Let me say at this point I never alleged the WBCCI or VAC to be a bunch of old fuddy duddies as they say- just my experience at TOG was unpleasant and I would suggest that the experience is probably limited to that park and some of the people there. No one was particularly mean, just somewhat unfriendly when we arrived with three kids, and a dog.
I would not generalize anything from that experience.
On the other hand I did meet some nice folks as well. Just the comments about our kids and the over reaction to their bike riding and such were frustrating.
We have been to the State Park nearby the TOG and it was a world away in terms of attitudes.
For me the WBCCI is of not much importance at this point in my RVing life. I will probably let my membership go after this year.

I know this is an old thread, but it doesn't seem to me like the WBCCI is very interested in new members. I've left messages and sent email questions with no response. I think I'm staying independent at this time.

We just went through a 12 hour message flurry on the Airstream-List listserve regarding "old guard" and attitudes.

The list serve came up with a logo, you may have seen it in other threads here. The folks were talking about where to place it and someone suggested up around the WBCCI numbers area on the front of the trailer. A long time WBCCI member replied, "Think that Jackson Center and the IBT would take a dim view of adding anything to the space they have occupied for over 40 years."

Well that statement hit me wrong and I said "I guess the old guard will escort me off the rally grounds if I put a decal up there".
The next response was someone raising the issue of old guard and what does this mean and off to the races we went.

As it ended up I did a sermon on the mount and someone said I should send it to the International President. I would if I could, I said, but I just went to their web site and it doesn't even list the officers and how to contact them.

Lastest statistics, membership still dropping. First year attrition rate of new members is extremely high. Net 2001 membership numbers ended up negative.

The fellowship we encountered at Mystic Springs last year, amongst our small first Classic Motorhome Rally, is more on the lines of what I was hoping for in a club like the WBCCI.
Sharing of info, and ideas, sharing of food and drink, kids playing together. Learning new techniques from those who had actually done them. Everyone doing the part in agroup effort to make it enjoyable.
This was constructive, interesting fun. Lets hope next year we get double the attendance.

Jack dose that mean that no one is in the club and that many members quit twice ? Like the membership is -2240.

Or maybe it is members who haven't joined yet have quit.

BTW I read the thread on the other group, I was afraid to tell them where to stick their sticker. I have stayed away from the WBCCI because I don't think they will like dealing with my 9 year old son who is very active and loves to debate with adults.

Originally posted by jcanavera You take the ending membership from the past year. Add in the new members for the current year, subtract the members that did not renew. Your net membership hopefully is in the + side meaning that the organization is growing. In WBCCI's case it was negative.

Jack

Jack I must be missing something how do you get to a negative number ? Are memberships for more than 1 year ?

Originally posted by jcanavera Jim, I redid the post. Good thing I'm not on the space program. Note to Jack...use KISS system.

Jack

Sorry Jack, numbers drive me crazy.

The fact, which you pointed out is that WBCCI has a rapidly declining membership. I have very mixed emotions about joining the group. I think that they as a collective group have done a great deal of good for Airstream and have a great history. I am 53 with a 9 year old and I am afraid how they will respond to my child. I seem to have much more in common with the Vintage club. I do not wish to show WBCCI disrespect, they are one of the organizations which was formed by the WWII generation and worked well for that period. What they seem to like are not the things I like to do, so I am still have not made my mind up yet. Every time I see a good post about WBCCI I see another which counters it. It is driving me crazy, like numbers. Having read the exchange in the other group about the sticker it seem that even one of the most high profile supports of Airstream has had several problems with the attitude. BTW I am one of few people who actually think the numbers on the trailers are cool so may join just for the numbers.